Why Is Mental Health Important?
The iconic Austrian psychologist, Sigmund Freud, said, “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.” “Love and work” are also essential components of mental health. For those who ask, “Why is mental health important?” The answer is simple – it affects everything we do in every aspect of our lives.
Understanding Mental Health
We often use the term “mental health” without giving a second thought to its actual meaning. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” Also, “Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”
More people struggle with their mental health than others may realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness. Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness,” and “About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.” Thus, it is important to understand that those of us who struggle with mental illness are not alone.
Why Is Mental Health Important?
Mental health is important because it is so integral to who we are. Many people do not give a second thought to ensuring that their physical body is running smoothly, yet when it comes to mental health and wellbeing, we can often fall short.
Also, “Why is mental health important?” It is important because it affects both how we see ourselves as well as how we see the rest of the world. Mental health is also critical in how we function in day-to-day life.
If we are struggling with our mental health, every aspect of our lives can be negatively affected. This includes how we function at work or at school. It affects how we behave at home and interact with friends and family. Poor mental health can also hold us back from making choices that could positively affect our life’s trajectory. For example, if an individual is struggling with social anxiety disorder, they may choose to avoid situations that could, ultimately, help them succeed.
Is Mental Health Rehabilitation Necessary?
The answer to the question, “Is mental health rehabilitation necessary?” is it depends. If mental illness is affecting our day-to-day lives negatively and repeatedly, then mental health rehabilitation may be necessary. Of course, it also depends on how severe the illness is and how long it has been going on. It is important to remember that we would not ignore a physical ailment like heart disease or diabetes, so we should not ignore an ailment that affects us mentally either.
Many people have a misconception of what mental health rehabilitation is. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Mental health rehabilitation services provide essential support to people with complex and longer-term mental health problems. They include inpatient services and community teams providing clinical input to people living in supported accommodation services.” For many people, mental health rehabilitation is also important because they struggle with co-occurring disorders.
People with mental illness are also much more likely to struggle with addiction, and the other way around. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders… Of the 20.3 million adults with [substance use disorder], 37.9% also had mental illnesses,” and “Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had[ substance use disorder].” Effective mental illness is going to address both issues of addiction and mental illness at once.
What Does Effective Mental Health Rehabilitation Look Like?
Effective mental health rehabilitation is going to look very active and involved. It will provide round-the-clock services and support, as well as many different means, methods, and modalities that are going to help people recover at the molecular level.
Mental health rehabilitation often consists of work with medical doctors, psychotherapists, experiential therapists, and holistic healing professionals. This ensures that individuals get the most comprehensive and well-rounded recovery possible. It also best ensures that the individual addresses everything they need the first time so they can ultimately enjoy long-term recovery.
The Phoenix Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center
The difference here at The Phoenix Recovery Center is that we believe in long-term recovery over short-term “fixes.” We also believe in creating individualized recovery plans for each of our clients. No one’s mental health journey is the same, so why would their recovery plan be?
Mental illness will try and rob us of everything we hold dear. This is why mental health is important. It is fundamentally who we are. For those of us struggling, mental illness does not have to hold us back. Hope is out there. Recovery is possible.
Mental health is an often overlooked aspect of a happy, healthy life. However, it is crucial to take care of one’s mental health if one is to live life free of distractions and disruptions. The good news is that if one’s mental health becomes jeopardized, there are many great mental health rehabilitation options available. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to do this alone. For more information, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
